Increased midkine gene expression in childhood B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Midkine (MK) is a heparin-binding growth factor that is overexpressed in a number of solid cancers. However, expression in acute leukemia has not been clarified. We examined MK gene expression using real-time PCR in 94 children with acute leukemia. In 30 of the 41 patients with B-precursor ALL, MK gene expression was overexpressed than normal BM. MK gene was also overexpressed in more than half of patients with FAB M1 and M2 types of AML. Quantification of MK gene by real-time PCR offers particular promise as a prognostic marker and a marker for minimal residual disease in children with B-precursor ALL.